Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Not an easy subject to speak on
• Matthew repeats many teachings of Jesus
• 13 parables to date
• 19 further parables
• 7 of them speak very plainly of hell
• The language (of Jesus Christ) is graphic and solemn
• Many of these parables speak of the end of the age
• The words we read now must be a summary of Jesus' teaching
• People marveled at Jesus' teaching
• Jesus gives a very strong warning
• Parable of the Dragnet
• Bad fish and good fish
• The wicked and the just (v49)
• Jesus speaks only about the destiny of the wicked (v50)
• Jesus' teachings on hell are given to two sets of people:
• The disciples - to solemnise them for their preaching
• Parable of the Dragnet - speaking only to His disciples (v36)
• The Pharisees - Jesus is very strong with these due to their hypocrisy
• The crowds - Jesus does not very often speak to individuals regarding hell
• Example - Samaritan woman
• Does the teaching on hell sober us and fill us with compassion?
• Example of Clark Pinnock and John Robinson
• We understand that there is powerful metaphor and images, but they point to tremendous realities
• God has used the teaching on hell to draw people to Himself (Example of Andrew)

The Picture

• Personal example of fishing in Brazil
• The example Jesus used would have been very familiar with those
  who fished and used drag nets
• The angels will separate people
• Christ will judge them (Rev 20:11 - 21:8)

Other Parts of Scriptures

• Two words for hell:
• Hades: the abode of the dead, disembodied spirits
• Luke 10:15, The Gates of Hades (shall not prevail against the Church), Lazarus in paradise and the rich man in Hades
• Rev 20:14 - Hades is temporary
• Gehenna:
• Used 12 times in the New Testament
• 11 times quoted by Jesus
• This speaks about permanent hell, destruction of the body and soul
• Reserved for the devil, the fallen angels and all who do not know Him
• 7 times quoted in Matthew's gospel: Matt 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28, 18:9, 23:33
• This word draws from the Old Testament
• King Josiah set up a rubbish tip for idols and became a permanent tip outside of Jerusalem
• Example of Ahaz
• Picked up by the prophets - Isa 66:24
• John the Baptist
• The Psalmists - Ps 11:6
• The prophets - Obadiah v15, Neh 1:6, Mal 4:1
• Has the thought of hell made you tremble?
• Can we keep silent?
• The statistics on death - how many go to heaven and how many go to hell?

How will men be Judged?

• There will be a judgement according to character
• We believe it is by faith alone that you are saved ...
• ... but "Faith without works is dead!"
• John 5:28-29, Matt 7:21-23, 12:33-35, 16:27, Rom 2:5-10

The Words of Jesus (v50)

• Speaks of great wailing and gnashing of teeth
• A great rage, anger and resentment against God
• The pharisees gnashed their teeth at Stephen
• In another place it speaks of the worm not dying
• Maybe the conscience never settling
• This truth is so sobering, but we have good news in Jesus
• Explanation
• What a wonderful Saviour we have
• He is our righteousness
• By Him alone can we do good works
• Yield your heart to Jesus - there are no second chances